Day #198:7 Facts about Empathy

American economist and political advisor Jeremy Rifkin explains in Empathic Civilisation why we need to rethink the human narrative, and base it on empathy and compassion rather than aggression and animosity.
History, biology and sociology of the human race prove it’s possible.
Tune in to the following 7 facts about empathy and watch this video.

1.ALL HUMANS ARE INCLINED TO EMPATHIZE.
Observation of another human being experiencing emotions lights up the same neurons in our brain as if we’re experiencing the same feeling.

2.WE ARE ACTUALLY SOFTWIRED FOR SOCIABILITY.
For humans, the name of the game is in fact attachment, affection and companionship. Forget violence, conflict and aggression.

3. HUMANS WANT TO BELONG.
The first human drive is the drive to actually belong.

4.EMPATHY IS LINKED WITH MORTALITY.
Empathy exists because we know we’ve got only one life to live.

5. THE HUMAN RACE HAS EXTENDED ITS EMAPTHY TO EVER EXPANDING GROUPS.
The evolution of the human race demonstrates displays of empathy to gradually expanding groups: from the medieval tribe to the modern nation.

6. TECHNOLOGY FACILITATES EMPATHY.
We have the technology to think viscerally as a family: social media and the web come in handy, proving that at times of distress, however far flung, we reach out.

7. WE HAVE TO BEGIN THINKING AS AN EXTENDED FAMILY.
Empathy to the entire human race doesn’t entail losing the old identities (religious, political or other) – it means broadening existing identities.